Motherhood has a way of changing everything—how we see the world, our work, even ourselves. For Keenan Silverman, a Dallas fashion leader and mom to 1-year-old Clementine, it’s been a season of joy, discovery, and a healthy dose of grace. Between nurturing emerging designers through the pop-up incubator at Market, a women’s luxury concept store in the heart of Highland Park Village, and navigating the sweet chaos of new motherhood, she’s learning that balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about being present.
Here, she shares her journey through early motherhood, what surprised her most, and the lessons she’s holding onto along the way.
Interview with Keenan Silverman
DFWBaby: You started your career at such a young age, moving from Arkansas to New York City at 19. What drew you to fashion in the first place?
KS: I’ve always been intrigued by the way you can transform when you put something on. In the beginning, it was the glamour and the sense of escape that drew me in. Over the years, that fascination has evolved into a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship, storytelling and the emotion a beautiful piece can evoke.
My great-grandmother actually owned a high-end women’s boutique in Louisiana. She passed before I was born and the store closed soon after, but I like to think it’s in my blood.
Even as a little girl, I was completely enchanted. I remember discovering Vogue Runway TV—back when it was an actual cable channel—and watching for hours. I’d beg my parents to take me to Barnes & Noble in Arkansas because it was the only place I could find all the fashion magazines in one spot. I’d pore over every page, and if I was lucky, my dad would let me bring one home.
B: You were instrumental in debuting Market’s pop-up incubator program, which gives brands a chance to try their hand with a brick-and-mortar location. What excites you most about working with emerging designers?
KS: The program was created as a way to give emerging designers a platform—especially those who are “Texas-curious” and want to test the waters here in Dallas. It’s a space for discovery, for introducing new brands in an environment that feels fresh, elevated and highly curated.
I love collaboration and creative energy that comes from it. Each designer brings their own perspective, and together we get to shape how that story unfolds in-store. There’s something so inspiring about helping a young brand find its footing.
B: Let’s talk motherhood. What’s Clementine like at 1 year old?
KS: She is curious, full of energy and the happiest baby. She is full of personality—carrying her little purse around, talking on her little play cell phone. She’s kind of the heartbeat of house at this point.
“Slow down and be present … Some things can wait but the newborn snuggles cannot.”
B: Looking back, what surprised you most about the newborn stage?
KS: I know this is not the way for everyone, but the newborn stage was easier than we expected. I think sometimes people scare you—they say, ‘You’re never going to sleep again,’ or all these crazy things and you’re terrified. But we got her on a schedule pretty early on and that was really helpful for us—this is when she eats, this is when she sleeps, these are things we do during the day. We still pretty much follow our schedule to a T. It keeps everything even-keeled in our house.
B: What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give yourself as a brand-new mom in those first weeks?
KS: Slow down and be more present. We worry about doing everything perfectly—making the perfect swaddle, having her room all in order, and the house taken care of and the schedule being followed. I think I’d probably just have a little more grace. Some of those things can wait but the newborn snuggles cannot.
One thing we did that I was happy about was having no visitors for 30 days after we came home with her. No one believed that I was going to do it because I’m typically a very social person, but we did it—no parents, no friends, just my husband and me and the baby. That was the best thing I could have done for myself because I could just be comfortable in my house and focus on what was in front of me in that little newborn bubble.
B: What’s been your favorite “first” so far with Clementine?
KS: A few months ago, Clementine started giving hugs, and oh my gosh, it completely melts my heart. There’s something so tender and unfiltered about that first gesture of affection. It’s a small moment, but it feels monumental.
B: What have you learned about yourself since becoming a mom?
KS: Probably that I’m more uptight than I thought! (laughs) I thought I was a little more go-with-the-flow and I’ve realized I’m not, but kids have a way of making you that way, right? They have no concept of time, they don’t understand when you need to be somewhere. So far, at least, Clementine has really helped me slow down. If it takes us 20 minutes to get out the door, that’s what it takes.
B: How do you balance career and family life?
KS: I am fortunate to have a supportive husband and schedule that is pretty flexible. I’m also very intentional about efficiency—I’m all about work smarter, not harder to save those extra moments in the day where I can be home and be present. So if I can have groceries delivered while I’m in a meeting at the store, that’s a huge win for the day.
B: What are you most looking forward to as a parent?
KS: I’m excited to watch Clementine grow into her own little lady. Is she going to be into fashion? Is she going to be a mathematician like her dad? Who knows. I’m excited to see what she’s interested in.
Right now, she’s just talking a little bit, and I can’t wait to get to know her personality more as she starts to have these dialogues with my husband and me. I can’t wait to take her to lunch and just chat. That’s my dream.
Keenan Silverman’s Stylish Mom Must-Haves
1. Design Dua bassinet
“Clementine practically lived in the Design Dua bassinet. My husband would move it around the house so she could always sleep nearby. We loved that it had a stand that rocked and could also be placed on the bed or the floor. It made those early months so much easier for all of us.” // Styles from $159.99 at designdua.com
2. Posh Baby Clothes from These Retailers
Where does a fashion forward mom shop for baby clothes? Locally, Silverman loves Baby Bliss in Dallas. “They have the most beautiful pajamas and onesies for when they’re really little,” she shares. Online, she shops Bea Colette and Dondolo, especially for special occasion pieces.
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3. Pedicures for Self-Care
Sometimes just a half-hour is all Silverman needs to relax and reset. She’ll head to Yaya Foot Spa for a quick working treat. “There’s nothing fancy about it, you just lay in a recliner and they rub your feet and your legs for 30 minutes. I like to answer emails, work on my phone, order groceries, do what I need to be doing,” she says. For a pedicure, she goes to Allure Nails & Spa (located at 4353 Lovers Lane in University Park; 214/521-5404) where she says they give “the best shoulder massage of all time.”
4. Date Night at Nonna’s
“We love an evening at Nonna’s—sitting at the bar, sharing the artichokes and a white clam pizza. On a nice night, we’ll even walk to dinner. We both moved here from New York, so it’s one of those little rituals that gives my husband and me a taste of our New York days, and a chance to slow down, reconnect, and savor time together.” // Located at 4115 Lomo Alto Dr., Dallas; 214/521-1800; nonna-dallas.com
5. Her Go-To Mom Wardrobe
For moms looking to refresh their wardrobes, Keenan offers these go-to staples that balance fashion and functionality: “An oversized button-down always looks put together. Personally, I love Victoria Beckham button-downs,” she says. “Staud makes a really great Knack pant—they’re a little stretchy, they’re cropped, they have a little flair at the bottom. Add some stud earrings, a little necklace that the baby’s not going to pull and you’re good to go.”
“My closet is growing with button downs and cropped flared pants or baggy jeans at the moment. Any of those things that you feel comfortable and confident in are the go-to for the moment. I gravitate toward pieces that feel effortless but elevated. For me, it’s all about finding items that feel stylish, versatile, and practical for the day-to-day rhythm of motherhood.”
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